Community storybook
Clear Birthday Party
Community storybook: Clear Birthday Party — 2
It was the morning of Cora's birthday, and the sky outside her window was the clearest, brightest blue she had ever seen. Not a single cloud floated anywhere. The sun poured golden light across the kitchen table, where Mama was frosting a cake with white, swirly icing.
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"Cora," said Mama, "the sky is so clear today. Let's have your birthday party outside in the garden!"
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Cora clapped her hands. "Yes! A clear-sky party!"
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Cora's best friend, Bram, arrived first. He came through the back gate carrying a squishy package wrapped in green paper.
Community storybook: Clear Birthday Party — 6
"Happy birthday, Cora!" Bram said. He looked up at the sky. "Wow, it's so clear you can see forever."
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They spread a checkered blanket on the grass beneath the old apple tree. Mama carried out plates and cups and a pitcher of pink lemonade. Then she set the white-frosted cake right in the middle of the blanket, with five candles standing up like little soldiers.
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"Five!"
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said Cora. "I'm five today!"
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Soon more friends arrived — neighbors and cousins and kids from down the street.
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They played tag around the apple tree and blew bubbles that floated up into the clear, clear sky, shimmering with rainbow colors before they popped.
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Then everyone sat on the blanket and Mama lit the five candles. The little flames flickered in the still, warm air.
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"Make a wish, Cora!" called Bram.
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Cora closed her eyes. She thought very hard about what she wanted. She thought about the clear blue sky and the clear pink lemonade and the clear, shining bubbles. She thought about all her friends sitting in a circle on the grass.
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She wished that every day could feel just like this one — bright and warm and full of people she loved.
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She took a big breath and blew. Whoosh! All five candles went out, and a little curl of smoke rose up toward the clear sky. Everyone cheered and clapped, and Mama cut the cake into thick, gooey slices. Bram's slice had an extra-big rosette of icing on top, and he grinned so wide that icing smeared all over his nose.
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Cora laughed and laughed.
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As the afternoon went on, the sky stayed perfectly, wonderfully clear. The sun sank lower and turned everything amber and gold. The apple tree threw long shadows across the blanket.
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Cora leaned against the rough trunk and licked the last bit of frosting from her fingers. Bram sat beside her, quiet for once, looking up. "Your wish came true, Cora," he said.
Community storybook: Clear Birthday Party — 20
Cora watched the first pale star blink open in the still-clear sky, and she smiled.